MACOBOY, Francis James (1853-1935)
MACOBOY, Francis James (1853-1935)
Francis James Macoboy, known as ‘Frank’, barrister and solicitor, was the son of Judge Michael Francis Macoboy (1810-1872), and practised as a solicitor and barrister in Bendigo where he was a widely respected legal practitioner. He was for many years in partnership with W H Taylor at 30 View St, Bendigo. His father, Judge Macoboy, is allegedly the Judge held up in the renowned Australian folk song, ‘The Wild Colonial Boy' .
Although no enrolment entry exists for 'Frank' he appears in the Annual Prize Lists for 1867 to 1869. In 1867 he gained a 3rd place Prize in Latin in the 2nd Class, and a 2nd Prize in Algebra in the 1st Class. In 1868 he was awarded a 1st Prize in Elocution in the 2nd Class and in 1869, a 3rd Prize in English in the 4th Class. In 1867, his residence was listed as Mornville, Carisbooke and in 1868 and 1869, at Sandhurst (now called Bendigo). He appears in a program by the College Minstrels in 1867 playing ‘Ghost’ in their performance. Frank was an active sportsman and is listed in the College’s Jubilee History as a captain of the College Cricket Team of 1870. He also figures in the School Sports in 1869 and particularly prominently in 1870. In 1869, he was equal 1st in the Running High Jump. In 1870, he is listed in six events: 1st in the 80 Yards Manx Race; 1st in the Running High Jump; 1st in the 300 Yards Steeplechase; 1st in the Standing High Jump; 2nd in the 150 Yards Handicap; and 2nd in the 100 Yards Maiden Plate.
He married Margaret Jane nee Fletcher, the daughter of A Fletcher of Sydney, in Victoria in 1888. He died on 17 July 1935 at his daughter Aileen Cuzen’s residence at 52 York St, Launceston, Tasmania.
His brother, Michael Henry Macoboy (c1857-1904), appears in the Annual Prize Lists from 1868 to 1870. There is no record of the two younger brothers attending the College. These were the children of Anna Theresa nee Redmond whom the Judge married in Victoria in 1861, James Harold Redmond Macoboy (1864-1926) and Herbert Rudolph Redmond Macoboy (1869-1936).
Francis James Macoboy, known as ‘Frank’, barrister and solicitor, was the son of Judge Michael Francis Macoboy (1810-1872), and practised as a solicitor and barrister in Bendigo where he was a widely respected legal practitioner. He was for many years in partnership with W H Taylor at 30 View St, Bendigo. His father, Judge Macoboy, is allegedly the Judge held up in the renowned Australian folk song, ‘The Wild Colonial Boy' .
Although no enrolment entry exists for 'Frank' he appears in the Annual Prize Lists for 1867 to 1869. In 1867 he gained a 3rd place Prize in Latin in the 2nd Class, and a 2nd Prize in Algebra in the 1st Class. In 1868 he was awarded a 1st Prize in Elocution in the 2nd Class and in 1869, a 3rd Prize in English in the 4th Class. In 1867, his residence was listed as Mornville, Carisbooke and in 1868 and 1869, at Sandhurst (now called Bendigo). He appears in a program by the College Minstrels in 1867 playing ‘Ghost’ in their performance. Frank was an active sportsman and is listed in the College’s Jubilee History as a captain of the College Cricket Team of 1870. He also figures in the School Sports in 1869 and particularly prominently in 1870. In 1869, he was equal 1st in the Running High Jump. In 1870, he is listed in six events: 1st in the 80 Yards Manx Race; 1st in the Running High Jump; 1st in the 300 Yards Steeplechase; 1st in the Standing High Jump; 2nd in the 150 Yards Handicap; and 2nd in the 100 Yards Maiden Plate.
He married Margaret Jane nee Fletcher, the daughter of A Fletcher of Sydney, in Victoria in 1888. He died on 17 July 1935 at his daughter Aileen Cuzen’s residence at 52 York St, Launceston, Tasmania.
His brother, Michael Henry Macoboy (c1857-1904), appears in the Annual Prize Lists from 1868 to 1870. There is no record of the two younger brothers attending the College. These were the children of Anna Theresa nee Redmond whom the Judge married in Victoria in 1861, James Harold Redmond Macoboy (1864-1926) and Herbert Rudolph Redmond Macoboy (1869-1936).
The Wild Colonial Boy
This version is the first known Australian version of the song,
printed by A T Hodgson in Castlemaine, Victoria in about 1881.
Twas of a Wild Colonial Boy, Jack Dowling was his name,
Of poor but honest parents, was reared at Castlemaine,
He was his father's favorite, and mother's only joy
And a terror to Australia was the Wild Colonial Boy.
Eighteen hundred and sixty-one commenced his wild career,
A heart that knew no danger, no stranger for to fear
He stuck up Beechworth's mail coach and robbed judge Macoboy,
Who, trembling, gave up all his gold to the Wild Colonial Boy.
One morning, one morning, as Jack he rode along,
Listening to the mocking bird singing forth its song,
Three brave troopers they rode up, Davis, Kelly and Fitzroy,
Rode up and tried to capture the Wild Colonial Boy.
'Surrender, now Jack Dowling you see there's three to one,
Surrender in the Queen's name you outlawed plundering son.'
Jack drew a pistol from his belt and tossed the little toy,
'I'll die but ne'er surrender,' cried the Wild Colonial Boy.
He fired at trooper Kelly and brought him to the ground
When on return from Davis received an awful wound,
While thus in crimson gore he fell while firing at Fitzroy,
And that was how they captured the Wild Colonial Boy.
Source
The Argus (Melb) 5 March 1872 p5; The Argus (Melb) 1 March 1888 p1; Pegasus August 1921 p32; Argus 20 July 1935 p13; Argus 23 July 1935 p3; Pegasus Sep 1935 p62; The Argus (Melb) 13 May 1950 p2 (for granddaughter's assertion that the Judge is Francis James Macoboy); The Wild Colonial Boy: Turning legend into History by Allen Mawer, 2002. Pandora.nla.gov.au accessed 14 Feb 2014.